Community colleagues recognised for commitment to patient with award of prestigious Queen’s Nurse title

Two outstanding community nursing colleagues, from East Cheshire NHS Trust, have been recognised for their exceptional dedication to patient care with the award of the prestigious Queen’s Nurse title.

Rhoda Gaylo, Care Community Coach for Bollington, Disley and Poynton (BDP), and Clare Bailey, Care Community Team Leader for the Out of Hours District Nursing Team, have both been honoured for their high standards of patient care, learning and leadership.

The title is open to any nurse with at least five years' experience working in the community and is a formal recognition of being part of a network of nurses committed to giving outstanding care, according to the Queen's Nursing Institute (QNI).

Originally from the Philippines, Rhoda began her NHS journey in 2005 as a Band 5 Community Rapid Response Nurse after arriving in the UK in 2002.

Over the years, she has grown into a key figure in integrated care, working closely with the Community Clinical Lead, Primary Care Network, and local organisations to drive quality improvement projects that enhance patient experience and outcomes.

She said:

“I’m greatly honoured to be recognised as a Queen’s Nurse, and this prestigious title means a lot to me as an international nurse.

“It hasn’t been easy navigating different systems, cultures, and pathways. But this journey has strengthened my resilience, adaptability, and cross-cultural leadership, and these skills reflect my deep commitment to improving patient care, supporting staff, and driving service innovation.”

“I have and forever will be proudly carrying the values of a Queen's Nurse. From my first ward in another country to serving care community today, I've learned that leadership is about lifting others up, commitment is about showing up every day for patients and staff, and innovation is about turning challenges into better care for our communities."

Clare began her career with the Trust in 1994, initially working on the acute medical wards before transitioning to community nursing in 2019.

She completed her District Nurse Specialist Practitioner training in 2023 and now leads the largest community team in East Cheshire, providing essential care across the region between 5:00pm and 8:00am.

With a combined service experience of approximately 460 years, Clare’s team exemplifies the depth of knowledge and commitment within community nursing.

She said:

“Being recognised as a Queen’s Nurse means a lot to me, it signifies a strong commitment to upholding the highest standards of practice and delivering person-centred care within our community.

“I feel incredibly proud to receive this honour and even luckier to lead such a fantastic team of community nurses who share this same passion for making a real difference in the lives of those we care for.”

Rhoda and Clare will receive their badge and certificate at the QNI's Awards Ceremony on 28th November at a venue in central London.

Pictured - Clare Bailey left and Rhoda Gaylo.